Wallpaper Sheet from a Set of Ten Wallpaper Sheets c. 1864 - 1892

This wallpaper sheet was created by William Morris, a key figure in the 19th-century Arts and Crafts movement. He used wood blocks to print the design onto paper, which involved a labor-intensive process, carving a separate block for each color. Morris chose natural materials, like plant-based dyes, and intricate floral motifs that intertwine across the surface. The texture of the paper, along with the slight imperfections inherent in block printing, give the wallpaper a tactile quality. It evokes a sense of handcraftedness, and a connection to nature. What makes Morris so interesting is his political stance: he hated the industrial revolution! Though his wallpapers were patterned by machine, he was deeply concerned with the impact of industrial production on both the environment and workers' well-being. His designs were meant to offer an alternative to mass-produced, often poorly made goods. In looking, his works challenge our conventional understanding of what is art and what is craft.